The first question is: will Aaron Rodgers be back?
The Packers are trying everything, at least from a coaching standpoint, to improve the team by hiring former Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia as a special team coordinator as well as Rodgers’s favourite quarterback coach, Tom Clements.
Considering that coach Clements was retired, it doesn’t look like he came out of retirement to coach Jordan Love. I think he will be back for a couple more seasons, but as all we know, Rodgers can be unpredictable in times.
But what is predictable is his shortcomings in the playoffs. We saw this especially last year, when he had a very good defence to support him and also had the advantage – “the colder the better” as per his own words – of playing at home.
And why do we have this kind of shortcoming lately?
As a Green Bay fan who’s watched the vast majority of Packers games for the last seven or eight years, I can say there is a trend that arises seemingly every year but particularly in the last seasons, and that is a lack of patience from Rodgers. Yes, he might have impressive numbers and incredible throws, but what do they count for if the offence is not progressing with almost every throw or after one or two unproductive drives, if he starts to throw the ball away, if he tries to find Davante Adams even when he has double coverage – like the last playoff game. he’s creating a bit of a stressful environment.
It gives me the impression that he wants to win the game with ten or 15 throws, score on every drive and get out of the field. Which quarterback doesn’t want that?
But in a team sport and especially in American football you have to spend time on the field as the offence so you can give a breather to the defence. If the defence play major minutes, they will end up giving up points, with good examples being the Ravens and Browns games, in which they let both teams back into the game.
It seems that a pattern has been created that they might get away with during the regular season but that is fatal in the playoffs. Of course part of the blame lies with coach Matt LaFleur, who doesn’t want to run the ball and supports this type of hero ball even when it is obvious that it’s not working.
Hopefully with the return of coach Clements this habit will be improved and Rodgers will help the team win another Super Bowl, because that’s the only thing that matters. Individual awards and beating your main rivals – owning the Bears – is great, but when you play at Green Bay you should have only one goal: winning titles.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
On drafting someone I will disagree, Rodgers is not the person that trust easily and for sure he will not trust someone that has limited experience and drafting it does not always work. On the signing part I agree but not for this game , to win the SB you need a little bit of an extra help, but beating the 49ers at the frozen tundra I dont think he needed something special, he had Cobb that he requested and on the above video is showing Lazard wide open some one that he trust a lot and if Rodgers is back he is going to as well with his blessings . And also is important to remember that Donald Driver (7th round-All time leader in receiving yards), James Jones (3rd round) , Jennings (2nd round) and Nelson (2d round) Are all lower picks similar to those of MVS , EQ and other receivers that they drafted over the years that unfortunately it has not paid out like before. But also is important to mention that he has a very strong RB duo behind him that can catch as well that he never had. (here is where Lefleur needs to do better utilization of this guys ) Part of the bad performances goes of course to the front office and the coach of how they ve handled the special teams situation and the defense over the years, as well drafting Jordan Love and they way they handle it. For me is not just Rodgers but he needs to stop the habit I mentioned in the article . Tom Brady won SBs without big names on his roster with the exception of Gronk no one was a big name on the last two SB with the Patriots.
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Good article. I’m not a Packers fan but it must be frustrating following them. Dominant during the season then fold in playoffs. I think you are right with Rodgers going for the big plays rather than the long drive to the goal line. He also needs more options. As a Chiefs fan I love watching Mahomes throw brilliant passes like Rodgers does. But both need to adjust their games to a more conservative playoff style.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
He constantly passes into double coverage to Adams because there is no other player to throw to. They haven't drafted anybody or signed anybody The issue isn't Rodgers, it's the front office. This is been the basis of Rodger's standoff the past couple of seasons